Minecraft Veterans 4J Studios Expands with New Edinburgh Studio to Accelerate Reforj Development

In a significant move that underscores their ambitious new project, 4J Studios, the acclaimed developers best known for bringing Minecraft to consoles, has announced the opening of a new studio in Edinburgh. This expansion marks a pivotal moment for the Scottish-based firm as it intensifies development on its highly anticipated “Minecraft rival” titled Reforj. The move not only signals a strategic effort to tap into the city’s rich talent pool but also highlights the studio’s commitment to delivering a truly next-generation sandbox experience.

The new office, located on George Street in Edinburgh, will house staff focused on critical software and design roles. This expansion is part of a broader push to accelerate development on Reforj, a game that has been generating considerable buzz within the gaming community. CEO Paddy Burns has stated that the studio is undergoing an exhilarating period, celebrating its 20th anniversary with the momentum of a major new release.

For years, 4J Studios was the go-to team for all things Minecraft on consoles, earning a reputation for meticulously porting and refining the beloved block-building phenomenon. Now, they are turning their expertise to their own intellectual property. Reforj is a new open-world multiplayer survival sandbox game built on a proprietary engine called the “Elements Engine.” This new technology is designed to take full advantage of the latest console hardware, with a focus on seamless world-loading and highly efficient data saving—features that will be crucial for a game aiming to compete in the sandbox genre.

Community-Driven Development and the Pioneer Program

A key aspect of Reforj’s development is its collaborative approach with the community. 4J Studios has established a “Pioneer Program,” giving hundreds of dedicated players early access to the pre-alpha version of the game. This initiative, which began in April 2025, allows developers to gather valuable feedback and incorporate it directly into the game’s design. This philosophy of building a game with its players is a strong selling point and a direct response to a demand for greater community involvement in modern game development.

The studio has even brought on popular YouTuber Joe Garrett, known as Stampy, to support this process and work with the design team. Garrett’s deep connection to the Minecraft community and his vast experience with the genre will be invaluable in shaping Reforj into a game that truly resonates with its target audience. By leveraging the expertise of content creators and dedicated fans, 4J Studios aims to create a game that provides the features and experiences that players have always wanted, but may have never received from other sandbox titles.

The game is slated for a 2026 release, and early reports from the Pioneer Program indicate steady progress. The new Edinburgh studio is expected to play a crucial role in bringing the project to fruition, allowing 4J Studios to expand its team and access a diverse talent pool. The Scottish games industry has seen remarkable growth, with the number of companies operating in the sector rising seven-fold between 2010 and 2024. The new 4J Studios office is a testament to this growth and an investment in the future of Scottish game development.

A New Engine for a New Generation of Gaming

The “Elements Engine” is more than just a buzzword; it represents years of development and a deliberate decision by 4J Studios to create a technology platform tailored specifically for the needs of Reforj. While other studios might rely on popular engines like Unity or Unreal, 4J’s decision to build their own allows for a level of customization and optimization that could give their game a competitive edge. This is particularly relevant in the sandbox genre, where performance and the seamless handling of massive, procedurally generated worlds are paramount.

Early details about the engine suggest it will allow for small world saves that only record player changes, enabling fast loading times and seamless transitions between different worlds. This is a game-changer for a genre that often struggles with large file sizes and slow loading. The new engine is a clear signal that 4J Studios is not just looking to replicate a successful formula but to innovate upon it, aiming to create the most creator-friendly game on the market. The opening of the Edinburgh studio is the next logical step in this journey, providing the resources and manpower needed to make this ambitious vision a reality.